tempt

/tempt/ (bre, ipa) · /tempt/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈtem(p)t/ (ame, mw)

tempt — verb

  • temptpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • temptshe / she / it
  • temptedpast simple
  • tempting-ing form

1. to persuade a person toward a choice they know is unwise, by making it seem appe

1.動詞及物B1
釋義

to persuade a person toward a choice they know is unwise, by making it seem appealing or exciting.

例句

The fresh bread smell tempted Caio to stop at the bakery on his way home.

tempt + object + to-infinitive

Online ads often tempt shoppers into buying things they do not really need.

tempt + object + into + gerund

同義詞
  • lure

    stronger implication of tricking or trapping someone with a false promise

  • entice

    more neutral — suggests careful attraction without the moral judgement of 'tempt'

  • seduce

    often personal or romantic; carries a stronger sense of persuasion against better judgment

反義詞
  • deter

    to discourage someone from doing something

  • repel

    to push someone away or make them not want something

文法句型

tempt + object + to-infinitive

tempt + object + into + noun/gerund

be tempted + by + noun

用法筆記

Object is typically a person. The tempting thing can be a concrete item (food, money) or an abstract situation (offer, opportunity). Frequently used in the passive when the focus is on the person feeling the desire.

常見錯誤

❌The advertisement tempted me to buying it.
✅The advertisement tempted me to buy it.
💡After 'tempt + object,' use the base form of the verb (to-infinitive without 'to'), not a gerund.
❌The cake tempts me.' (when you just find it appealing)
✅The cake tempted me to take a slice.
💡'tempt' needs a context of persuasion toward an action; for simple appeal without a goal, use 'attract.'

2. to feel a strong wish to do or have something, particularly when you are aware i

2.動詞及物 / 不及物B1
釋義

to feel a strong wish to do or have something, particularly when you are aware it may not be the wise choice.

例句

Astrid was tempted to quit her job after a very difficult week.

be tempted + to-infinitive

Sivan was tempted to buy the jacket, but the price was too high.

同義詞
  • attract

    more neutral and general; does not carry the implication that the thing is unwise

  • appeal to

    focuses on the thing itself being enjoyable rather than the person's internal struggle

  • draw

    weaker than 'tempt'; suggests gentle attraction without moral conflict

反義詞
  • resist

    to successfully avoid giving in to temptation

文法句型

be tempted + to-infinitive

be tempted + by + noun

be tempted + into + gerund

用法筆記

This sense nearly always uses the passive form 'be tempted' (acting as a stative adjective). The active 'tempt' in this sense would mean 'cause desire in someone else' — which belongs to sense 1. Compare: 'I am tempted to eat this' (sense 2, I feel desire) vs 'The cake tempts me' (sense 1, the cake is the agent).

常見錯誤

❌I am tempting to eat the whole cake.
✅I am tempted to eat the whole cake.
💡When you mean you feel a desire, use the passive adjective form 'tempted,' not the active participle 'tempting.'

3. to behave too confidently and risk ruining your good luck — for example, by sayi

3.動詞及物B2
釋義

to behave too confidently and risk ruining your good luck — for example, by saying something that seems to invite misfortune.

例句

By driving home after only two hours of sleep, Vikram was tempting fate.

tempt fate — risk from overconfidence

Saying that you have never been in an accident can tempt providence.

tempt providence — fixed phrase

同義詞
  • risk

    more general — does not carry the superstitious 'challenging luck' nuance

  • dare

    focuses on personal courage rather than challenging luck

  • invite trouble

    an idiom with a similar meaning but a wider range of objects

反義詞

文法句型

tempt + fate

tempt + providence

tempt + luck

用法筆記

This sense is restricted to a small set of fixed expressions: 'tempt fate,' 'tempt providence,' and less commonly 'tempt luck' or 'tempt the gods.' The object cannot be freely chosen — you cannot 'tempt danger' or 'tempt the weather.' The passive form is also not used: 'fate was tempted by him' is incorrect.

常見錯誤

❌He tempted the weather by going out without a coat.
✅He was tempting fate by going out without a coat in January.
💡The fixed object is 'fate' (or 'providence'), not 'the weather' or other free-choice nouns.
❌Fate was tempted by the hikers.
✅The hikers tempted fate.
💡This phrase cannot be used in the passive voice.